The following information is provided as guidance only and is not a complete or judicial version of the regulations. A complete version of the New Jersey Recycling Regulations can be downloaded from the Internet at www.state.nj.us/dep/dshw. The Federal Universal Waste Rule (40 CFR part 273) is available at www.epa.gov.

Definitions

“Consumer electronics” means any appliance used in the home or business that includes circuitry. Consumer electronics includes the components and sub-assemblies that collectively make up the electronic products and may, when individually broken down, include batteries, mercury switches, capacitors containing PCBs, cadmium plated parts and lead or cadmium containing plastics. Examples of consumer electronics include, but are not limited to, computers, printers, copiers, telefacsimiles, VCRs, stereos, televisions, and telecommunication devices.

“Large quantity handler of universal waste” means a universal waste handler who accumulates 5,000 kilograms or more, total, of universal waste (calculated collectively) at any time. Such designation as a large quantity handler of universal waste is retained through the end of the calendar year in which 5,000 kilograms or more total of universal waste is accumulated.

“Small quantity handler of universal waste” means a universal waste handler, as defined in this section, who accumulates less than 5,000 kilograms total of universal waste (all types of universal wastes calculated collectively) at any time.

“Universal Waste handler” means a generator of universal waste or the owner or operator of a facility, including all contiguous property, that receives universal waste from other universal waste handlers, accumulates universal waste, and sends universal waste to another universal waste handler, to a destination facility, or to a foreign destination. “ Universal waste handler” does not mean a person who treats (except under the provisions of N.J.A.C. 7:26A-7.2(d)1 or 3, or N.J.A.C. 7:26A-7.3(d)1 or 3), disposes of, or recycles universal waste, or a person engaged in the off-site transportation of universal waste by air, rail, highway, or water, including a universal waste transfer facility.

Small Quantity Handler Requirements for Consumer Electronics

(1) A small quantity handler of universal waste is:

(a) Prohibited from disposing of universal waste; and

(b) Prohibited from diluting or treating universal waste, except by responding to releases as provided in 40 CFR 273.17; or by managing specific wastes as provided in 40 CFR 273.13.

(2) A small quantity handler of universal waste is not required to notify the Department of universal waste handling activities.

(3) A small quantity handler of universal waste shall manage consumer electronics in a way that prevents releases of any universal waste or component of a universal waste to the environment, as follows:

(a) A small quantity handler of universal waste shall contain any consumer electronic that shows evidence of leakage, spillage, or damage that could cause leakage under reasonably foreseeable conditions in a container. The container shall be closed, structurally sound, compatible with the contents of the consumer electronic, and shall lack evidence of leakage, spillage, or damage that could cause leakage under reasonably foreseeable conditions;

(b) A small quantity handler of universal waste may disassemble (“demanufacture”) consumer electronics into its marketable components; this shall exclude any processing or treatment (examples: including, but not limited to, crushing, shredding or thermally altering) of these components;

(c) A small quantity handler of universal waste who generates solid waste as a result of the activities listed at N.J.A.C. 7:26A-7.4(b), shall determine whether the solid waste exhibits a characteristic of hazardous waste identified in 40 C.F.R. Part 261, subpart C as incorporated by reference at N.J.A.C. 7:26G-5.

(4) Universal waste consumer electronics devices shall be clearly labeled or marked clearly, individually or by closed container with the following phrase: “Universal Waste - Consumer Electronics”.

(5) A small quantity handler of universal waste may accumulate universal waste for no longer than one year from the date the universal waste is generated, or received from another handler, unless the requirements of paragraph (6) of this section are met.

(6) A small quantity handler of universal waste may accumulate universal waste for longer than one year from the date the universal waste is generated, or received from another handler, if such activity is solely for the purpose of accumulation of such quantities of universal waste as necessary to facilitate proper recovery, treatment, or disposal. However, the handler bears the burden of proving that such activity is solely for the purpose of accumulation of such quantities of universal waste as necessary to facilitate proper recovery, treatment, or disposal.

(7) A small quantity handler of universal waste who accumulates universal waste must be able to demonstrate the length of time that the universal waste has been accumulated from the date it becomes a waste or is received. The handler may make this demonstration by:

(a) Placing the universal waste in a container and marking or labeling the container with the earliest date that any universal waste in the container became a waste or was received;

(b) Marking or labeling each individual item of universal waste (e.g., each battery or thermostat) with the date it became a waste or was received;

(c) Maintaining an inventory system on-site that identifies the date each universal waste became a waste or was received;

(d) Maintaining an inventory system on-site that identifies the earliest date that anyuniversal waste in a group of universal waste items or a group of containers of universal waste became a waste or was received;

(e) Placing the universal waste in a specific accumulation area and identifying the earliest date that any universal waste in the area became a waste or was received; or

(f) Any other method which clearly demonstrates the length of time that the universal waste has been accumulated from the date it becomes a waste or is received.

(8) A small quantity handler of universal waste must inform all employees who handle or have responsibility for managing universal waste. The information must describe proper handling and emergency procedures appropriate to the type(s) of universal waste handled at the facility.

(9) A small quantity handler of universal waste must immediately contain all releases of universal wastes and other residues from universal wastes.

(10) A small quantity handler of universal waste must determine whether any material resulting from the release is hazardous waste, and if so, must manage the hazardous waste in compliance with all applicable requirements of 40 CFR parts 260 through 272. The handler is considered the generator of the material resulting from the release, and must manage it in compliance with 40 CFR part 262.

(11) A small quantity handler of universal waste is prohibited from sending or taking universal waste to a place other than another universal waste handler, a destination facility, or a foreign destination.

(12) If a small quantity handler of universal waste self-transports universal waste off-site, the handler becomes a universal waste transporter for those self-transportation activities and must comply with the transporter requirements of 40 CFR parts 273.50 through 273.56 while transporting the universal waste.

(13) If a universal waste being offered for off-site transportation meets the definition of hazardous materials under 49 CFR parts 171 through 180, a small quantity handler ofuniversal waste must package, label, mark and placard the shipment, and prepare the proper shipping papers in accordance with the applicable Department of Transportation regulations under 49 CFR parts 172 through 180;

(14) Prior to sending a shipment of universal waste to another universal waste handler, the originating handler must ensure that the receiving handler agrees to receive the shipment.

(15) If a small quantity handler of universal waste sends a shipment of universal waste to another handler or to a destination facility and the shipment is rejected by the receiving handler or destination facility, the originating handler must either:

(a) Receive the waste back when notified that the shipment has been rejected, or

(b) Agree with the receiving handler on a destination facility to which the shipment will be sent.

(16) A small quantity handler of universal waste may reject a shipment containing universal waste, or a portion of a shipment containing universal waste that he has received from another handler. If a handler rejects a shipment or a portion of a shipment, he must contact the originating handler to notify him of the rejection and to discuss reshipment of the load. The handler must:

(a) Send the shipment back to the originating handler, or

(b) If agreed to by both the originating and receiving handler, send the shipment to a destination facility.

(17) If a small quantity handler of universal waste receives a shipment containing hazardous waste that is not a universal waste, the handler must immediately notify the Department of the illegal shipment, and provide the name, address, and phone number of the originating shipper. The Department will provide instructions for managing the hazardous waste.

(18) If a small quantity handler of universal waste receives a shipment of non-hazardous, non-universal waste, the handler may manage the waste in any way that is in compliance with applicable federal, state or local solid waste regulations.

(19) A small quantity handler of universal waste is not required to keep records of shipments ofuniversal waste.

(20) A small quantity handler of universal waste who sends universal waste to a foreign destination other than to those OECD countries specified in 40 CFR 262.58(a)(1) (in which case the handler is subject to the requirements of 40 CFR part 262, subpart H) must:

(a) Comply with the requirements applicable to a primary exporter in 40 CFR 262.53, 262.56(a)(1) through (4), (6), and (b), and 262.57;

(b) Export such universal waste only upon consent of the receiving country and in conformance with the EPA Acknowledgement of Consent as defined in 40 CFR part 262, subpart E; and

(c) Provide a copy of the EPA Acknowledgment of Consent for the shipment to the transporter transporting the shipment for export.

Large Quantity Handler Requirements for Consumer Electronics

(1) A large quantity handler of universal waste is:

(a) Prohibited from disposing of universal waste; and

(b) Prohibited from diluting or treating universal waste, except by responding to releases as provided in 40 CFR 273.37; or by managing specific wastes as provided in 40 CFR 273.33.

(2) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this section, a large quantity handler of universal waste must have sent written notification of universal waste management to the Department, and received an EPA Identification Number, before meeting or exceeding the 5,000 kilogram storage limit.

(3) A large quantity handler of universal waste who has already notified EPA of his hazardous waste management activities and has received an EPA Identification Number is not required to renotify under this section.

(4) This notification must include:

(a) The universal waste handler's name and mailing address;

(b) The name and business telephone number of the person at the universal waste handler's site who should be contacted regarding universal waste management activities;

(c) The address or physical location of the universal waste management activities;

(d) A list of all the types of universal waste managed by the handler (e.g., batteries, pesticides, thermostats, lamps);

(e) A statement indicating that the handler is accumulating more than 5,000 kg of universal waste at one time and the types of universal waste (e.g., batteries, pesticides, thermostats, and lamps) the handler is accumulating above this quantity.

(5) A large quantity handler of universal waste shall manage consumer electronics in a way that prevents releases of any universal waste or component of a universal waste to the environment, as follows:

(a) A large quantity handler of universal waste shall contain any consumer electronic that shows evidence of leakage, spillage, or damage that could cause leakage under reasonably foreseeable conditions in a container. The container shall be closed, structurally sound, compatible with the contents of the consumer electronics, and shall lack evidence of leakage, spillage, or damage that could cause leakage under reasonably foreseeable conditions;

(b) A large quantity handler of universal waste may not conduct disassembling “demanufacturing”) or processing (examples: including, but not limited to, crushing, shedding or thermally altering) activities on consumer electronics. A large quantity handler who wants to demanufacture or process consumer electronics shall apply for a Class D Approval in accordance with N.J.A.C 7:26A-3;

(6) Universal waste consumer electronics devices shall be clearly labeled or marked clearly, individually or by closed container with the following phrase: “Universal Waste - Consumer Electronics”.

(7) A large quantity handler of universal waste may accumulate universal waste for no longer than one year from the date the universal waste is generated, or received from another handler, unless the requirements of paragraph (9) of this section are met.

(8) A large quantity handler of universal waste may accumulate universal waste for longer than one year from the date the universal waste is generated, or received from another handler, if such activity is solely for the purpose of accumulation of such quantities of universal waste as necessary to facilitate proper recovery, treatment, or disposal. However, the handler bears the burden of proving that such activity was solely for the purpose of accumulation of such quantities of universal waste as necessary to facilitate proper recovery, treatment, or disposal.

(9) A large quantity handler of universal waste must be able to demonstrate the length of time that the universal waste has been accumulated from the date it becomes a waste or is received. The handler may make this demonstration by:

(a) Placing the universal waste in a container and marking or labeling the container with the earliest date that any universal waste in the container became a waste or was received;

(b) Marking or labeling the individual item of universal waste (e.g., each battery or thermostat) with the date it became a waste or was received;

(c) Maintaining an inventory system on-site that identifies the date the universal waste being accumulated became a waste or was received;

(d) Maintaining an inventory system on-site that identifies the earliest date that anyuniversal waste in a group of universal waste items or a group of containers of universal waste became a waste or was received;

(e) Placing the universal waste in a specific accumulation area and identifying the earliest date that any universal waste in the area became a waste or was received; or

(f) Any other method which clearly demonstrates the length of time that the universal waste has been accumulated from the date it becomes a waste or is received.

(10) A large quantity handler of universal waste must ensure that all employees are thoroughly familiar with proper waste handling and emergency procedures, relative to their responsibilities during normal facility operations and emergencies.

(11) A large quantity handler of universal waste must immediately contain all releases of universal wastes and other residues from universal wastes.

(12) A large quantity handler of universal waste must determine whether any material resulting from the release is hazardous waste, and if so, must manage the hazardous waste in compliance with all applicable requirements of 40 CFR parts 260 through 272. The handler is considered the generator of the material resulting from the release, and is subject to 40 CFR part 262.

(13) A large quantity handler of universal waste is prohibited from sending or taking universal waste to a place other than another universal waste handler, a destination facility, or a foreign destination.

(14) If a large quantity handler of universal waste self-transports universal waste off-site, the handler becomes a universal waste transporter for those self-transportation activities and must comply with the transporter requirements of 40 CFR part 273, subpart D while transporting the universal waste.

(15) If a universal waste being offered for off-site transportation meets the definition of hazardous materials under 49 CFR 171 through 180, a large quantity handler of universal waste must package, label, mark and placard the shipment, and prepare the proper shipping papers in accordance with the applicable Department of Transportation regulations under 49 CFR parts 172 through 180;

(16) Prior to sending a shipment of universal waste to another universal waste handler, the originating handler must ensure that the receiving handler agrees to receive the shipment.

(17) If a large quantity handler of universal waste sends a shipment of universal waste to another handler or to a destination facility and the shipment is rejected by the receiving handler or destination facility, the originating handler must either:

(a) Receive the waste back when notified that the shipment has been rejected, or

(b) Agree with the receiving handler on a destination facility to which the shipment will be sent.

(18) A large quantity handler of universal waste may reject a shipment containing universal waste, or a portion of a shipment containing universal waste that he has received from another handler. If a handler rejects a shipment or a portion of a shipment, he must contact the originating handler to notify him of the rejection and to discuss reshipment of the load. The handler must:

(a) Send the shipment back to the originating handler, or

(b) If agreed to by both the originating and receiving handler, send the shipment to a destination facility.

(19) If a large quantity handler of universal waste receives a shipment containing hazardous waste that is not a universal waste, the handler must immediately notify the appropriate regional EPA office of the illegal shipment, and provide the name, address, and phone number of the originating shipper. The EPA regional office will provide instructions for managing the hazardous waste.

(20) If a large quantity handler of universal waste receives a shipment of non-hazardous, non-universal waste, the handler may manage the waste in any way that is in compliance with applicable federal, state or local solid waste regulations.

(21) Receipt of shipments. A large quantity handler of universal waste must keep a record of each shipment of universal waste received at the facility. The record may take the form of a log, invoice, manifest, bill of lading, or other shipping document. The record for each shipment of universal waste received must include the following information:

(a) The name and address of the originating universal waste handler or foreign shipper from whom the universal waste was sent;

(b) The quantity of each type of universal waste received (e.g., batteries, pesticides, thermostats);

(c) The date of receipt of the shipment of universal waste.

(22) Shipments off-site. A large quantity handler of universal waste must keep a record of each shipment of universal waste sent from the handler to other facilities. The record may take the form of a log, invoice, manifest, bill of lading or other shipping document. The record for each shipment of universal waste sent must include the following information:

(a) The name and address of the universal waste handler, destination facility, or foreign destination to whom the universal waste was sent;

(b) The quantity of each type of universal waste sent (e.g., batteries, pesticides, thermostats);

(c) The date the shipment of universal waste left the facility.

(23) A large quantity handler of universal waste must retain the records described in paragraph (21) of this section for at least three years from the date of receipt of a shipment of universal waste.

(24) A large quantity handler of universal waste must retain the records described in paragraph (22) of this section for at least three years from the date a shipment of universal waste left the facility.

(25) A large quantity handler of universal waste who sends universal waste to a foreign destination other than to those OECD countries specified in 40 CFT 262.58(a)(1) (in which case the handler is subject to the requirements of 40 CFR part 262, subpart H) must:

(a) Comply with the requirements applicable to a primary exporter in 40 CFR 262.53, 262.56(a)(1) through (4), (6), and (b), and 262.57;

(b) Export such universal waste only upon consent of the receiving country and in conformance with the EPA Acknowledgement of Consent as defined in 40 CFR part 262, subpart E; and

(c) Provide a copy of the EPA Acknowledgement of Consent for the shipment to the transporter transporting the shipment for export.